Going viral on TikTok isn’t just for dancing teens anymore. The platform has emerged as one of the most vibrant social media communities today. It’s also something that makes going viral accessible the way few other social media networks do.
Anyone can blow up on TikTok, whether they have 2 followers or 200K. This is no coincidence. The app’s algorithm gives all users an equal opportunity to go viral over time and build an audience. It’s a rare social media meritocracy.
Still, just because TikTok provides a level playing field for its users doesn’t mean there aren’t steps you can take to make a video go viral.
Read on to learn how to set your TikToks up for viral success.
How does content go viral on TikTok?
Like any social media algorithm, TikTok curates content by recommending videos similar to the videos its users are currently interacting with.
The platform’s recommendation system looks at videos that users have watched, liked, shared, and commented on, and distinguishes features such as video content, text used in the video, and background music. It then continues to offer them similar content from TikTok users they may not have already followed. This goes down in the FYP (or For You page) feed.
Think of it as good old-fashioned channel surfing, you just have a different cable bundle every time you turn on the TV.
Something TikTok algorithm do not do factor is the number of followers or previous engagements of a TikTok profile. Because you’re a video from a brand new user, you’re more likely to see a post with several million views.
Additionally, every single video on TikTok gets the opportunity to go viral through the For You page. When you post a video, the app shows it in a small curated user group FYP. Depending on its performance there, it may be upgraded to a larger audience later on.
Not every video will come this way, but this functionality of the TikTok algorithm gives every upload a chance to make an impact.
How to go viral on TikTok: 9 tips
Despite being a generally democratic system, there are still ways to create content on TikTok that is poised to go viral. In fact, the best ways to blow up a post in the app often involve engaging with the TikTok community in a unique way.
1. Understand trends
It’s easy to see why TikTok took off with a younger audience. Aggressively trend-driven, highlighting memes and video formats. The next big thing may take over in just a few days, but every breast has its moment.
You don’t have to look far to find a trend to jump on. In fact, you probably have one on your For You page as we speak.
TikTok trends often work like Mad Libs. It will be a trending audio track, a dance, a text-based format in which users perform their own spins. They can stay for months, but often it’s like days. They come and go quickly, but when they’re popular they’re a great way to get your content in front of more users.
Due to the nature of the algorithm, the more the user interacts with a trend, the more videos the app promotes. So, step one to go viral on TikTok? You guessed it: take a look at these trends. The more you stay up to date with daily content trends on TikTok, the easier it will be to create relevant and timely content.
Sponge maker Scrub Daddy, for example, wouldn’t have gone viral, turning the adorable bones/boneless day trend in time, if they didn’t follow new trends a lot. closely.
@scrubdaddy It can’t always be a bone day… ##scrubdaddy ##smile ##cleantok ##americasfavoritesponge ##cleaningtiktok♬ CeeLo Green void _ C major – that redacted guy
2. Use humor
Comedy is a big part of any social media network, but it is TikTok’s main currency. From lifestyle vlogs to gym inspiration videos, humor unites it all.
Every TikTok community gives people an excuse to show off their sense of humor, even the more serious ones (see Turbotax example below). Your videos should be no different.
@turbotax Only a few days left — once again we ask you to file your ##taxes and get that ##RefundGlowUp!♬ baby fufu – Official Sound Studio
Humor keeps users engaged and they are more likely to watch a video from start to finish. If they find out that you have a similar sense of humor as theirs, they may follow your videos in the long run.
You don’t have to be the next SNL star to make people laugh on TikTok. As stale as it may sound, they will respond best to you being yourself.
Hashtags are one of the TikTok algorithm’s ranking signals. This means that adding hashtags to your video description makes it easier for the algorithm to put it in front of the audience that will respond.
Showing a new makeup show? Throw #make up and #MUA out there. Are you creating content for a trending show? Add an up-to-date hashtag (like #SquidGame) to help TikTok recommend your videos to fans.
Just avoid using generic hashtags like #FYP. Doing so means you won’t have to compete with millions of other videos that cater to the same hashtag.
When it comes to quantity, three to five hashtags per post is usually more than enough to get the referral system on the right track. Using too much can cause the algorithm to not know who to show your content to.
4. Keep it short
Yes, TikTok has several different video length limits: 15 seconds, 60 seconds and 3 minutes. Nothing will stop you from taking the full 180 seconds.
Still, brevity is the soul of wit (Shakespeare said that, so you know it’s true). And when you look at the app that TikTok has most successfully emulated, it’s not YouTube. The beloved but obsolete Vine that limits the video length to six seconds. This may not seem like much, but consider some of the best Vines of all time. Would any of these be better if they were longer? Probably not.
A short video doesn’t give the viewer enough time to lose interest. he make Give them more time to come back and watch it again when the autoplay feature kicks in. This is why short videos tend to garner higher view counts and engagement.
Also, by keeping your video’s run time down, you’re not only consciously increasing your viewership. You’re also improving the creative quality of your content.
5. Encourage interaction
The difference between a video platform and a social network is interaction.
TikTok is not just a place where videos are shared. It’s also a place to interact with a community through the content it creates. There’s a comment section for a reason, you know? Also, with the Duet and Stitch features, it’s possible to collaborate on videos with total strangers living on the other side of the planet.
TikTok’s algorithm works in a way that rewards any type of community interaction – so make sure your content encourages it. Ask users to mute themselves in the comments section. Provide a prompt where people can Combine or Duet a response video of their own. Make videos that people feel compelled to share via other social media platforms like Instagram. All make the algorithm look at your videos a little more positively.
@chezaidanstich this if you dare 😂 #fyp #stitchthis♬ original audio – Aidan Wachter
6. Understand your audience
There’s a lot going on on TikTok these days. It’s home to countless communities based on everything from fitness to emo music. These communities greatly support their communities.
While you don’t have to stick to a single subject, it helps you focus on a particular expertise or area of interest. The more your content appears in a particular community, the easier it is to build a following. This can then lead to more views from a core audience and improve the performance of the video on the For You page.
Understanding your audience will also help you find the best times to post on TikTok. While determining the best time to post won’t make you go viral overnight, it can definitely help your content reach more people – and it’s a great starting point.
7. Use TikTok’s tools
TikTok’s video editing tools don’t start and end with your camera. The app hosts a huge archive of popular music and sound clips. Users also have access to a fun array of video effects. You don’t need a movie diploma to make awesome videos in this app. The platform provides you with all the tools you need.
This pays off in two ways. First, a unique and recognizable style of video production can help build an audience. Additionally, using trending sounds and filters works in your favor. The algorithm will be more likely to show your videos to users who have already interacted with these original sounds and filters.
8. Be controversial (with pleasure)
A great way to increase engagement any platform? Say something that gets people so involved (or angry, or amused) that they have no choice but to respond.
@chipotleThe world needed part 3 (@ainsley @harley.420 @emmymagers @dcook.04 @nataliegrillo @ginajablonski) #chipotle #boomers #funny #viral♬ original audio – Chipotle
We’re not saying that you absolutely have to cross strict lines. A dating discussion can be as simple as saying you didn’t like the latest Drake album or critically acclaimed superhero movie.
Hot shots are one of the driving forces behind social media today, and TikTok is no different in that regard. They can generate significant engagement for your TikTok account – even if that interaction heats up a bit.
9. Walk away
TikTok wants your attention. If you stay away from it after posting a video, it will try to get you to come back. It does this by trying to create notifications, and the easiest way to do that is to get your video in front of more people. Even if you want to watch your view count increase in real time, the best thing you can do after posting a video is to turn off TikTok for a while. You will be much more likely to return to a flood of views, comments and shares.
